There was only ever one team in the game, as strikes from Yuri Gazinsky, substitutes Denis Cheryshev (twice, the second brilliantly) and Artem Dzyuba, and then a stunning free-kick from Aleksandr Golovin secured the Russians a dominant victory which lays down a marker for the rest of their group.

Cheryshev firing home the first of his brace (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Artem Dzyuba looked happy with his goal (Image: AFP)

It was quite the day for the hosts, and quite a day on social media too.

Did you see all this stuff?

1. Kyle Walker spots Robbie Williams' "hello" to Dele Alli

Let him entertain you (Image: Getty Images Europe)

But first the opening ceremony, which was obviously being enjoyed by the England players at the team's base in Repino.

And they had "one of their own" to watch of course, no matter how many times Harry Kane tries to copyright that song for himself.

Stoke-on-Trent's favourite son Robbie Williams was playing at the opening ceremony, and according to Kyle Walker he said hello to Dele Alli as he was coming out to perform.

It's a bit different to Dele's little wave isn't it?

Anyway, then Vladimir Putin took to the stage...

2. And for those of you watching in the US...

Nailed it.

3. One of the things you may have missed could have been the start of the game (if you were watching on ITV Player)

4. Are they agreeing to disagree?

Yuri Gazinskiy soon headed the opening goal of the tournament from Aleksandr Golovin's cross, but it wasn't without a light air of controversy, as a Saudi defender slipped.

Up in the VIP seats, Mohammad bin Salman - the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia - seemed a little unsure about the goal, but his close proximity to Gianni Infantino and Putin seemed to make up his mind for him.

Wise move, Mo.

5. Yuri Zhirkov is still going strong, believe it or not

The former Chelsea man had a storming first half (Image: Getty Images Europe)

As the first period wore on, the performance of the 34-year-old warrior raiding down the Russia left started to get stronger and stronger.

And then people realised that warrior was Yuri Zhirkov, who was winning his 85th cap on Russian football's biggest ever afternoon.

And there was a lot of love around for the former Chelsea man, who had an excellent game, which was never exactly said a lot during his time at Stamford Brifgr.

6. The brilliance of Denis Cheryshev's touch which took out two Saudi defenders before his goal was...